F&M Mascot Working Group
Franklin & Marshall College is embarking on an exciting journey: developing a dynamic, new mascot that reflects the heart of our community and the founding spirit of Ben Franklin and John Marshall, and the spirit of the Diplomat. F&M students have proudly and affectionately called themselves Diplomats — the college's mascot nickname — on and off the athletic field since the 1930s, embodying the very ethos we wish to preserve.
Students, faculty, staff, and alumni have expressed that we need a mascot that embodies our identity, brings energy to campus events, and builds a sense of pride — and this fall, our Mascot Working Group will take up that challenge.
The Charge
The working group’s task is to:
- Explore creative and imaginative ideas for a new mascot.
- Engage broadly with the F&M community to gather input and ideas.
- Develop concepts that are distinctive, meaningful, and true to our Diplomat identity.
- Deliver three mascot concepts—including names, visuals, rationales, and practical considerations—for review by the president.
Our inspiration remains the diplomat, and we invite you to submit ideas for a character that sparks connection, excitement, and a sense of belonging.
Deadline for submissions: December 1
Process and Timeline
The working group will meet regularly throughout the fall, moving step by step from brainstorming to final concepts.
- Early Meetings: Brainstorm qualities of an F&M mascot; research peer institutions; gather initial input; create evaluation criteria.
- Mid-Semester: Generate a long list of mascot ideas, host forums and surveys, and begin narrowing the list.
- December 1: Close online form for community submissions.
- Later Meetings: Refine visuals and names, evaluate against community feedback, and finalize the top three ideas with full descriptions, sketches, and practical considerations (athletics, branding, licensing, cost).
Mascot History
During F&M’s nearly 240-year history, our team spirit has taken many forms. One of the earliest records appears in an 1896 photo of “Roland,” a pet dog who regularly attended athletic competitions and campus events. Over the years, other dogs followed in Roland’s place, including a canine who trotted behind the "Blue and White" flags that represented the College in the early 1900s, and "Dietz," who became a familiar presence during the V-12 Navy training programs of World War II.
In the 1960s, The College Reporter began documenting student efforts to create a costumed mascot, however, no lasting mascot emerged. The 1990s saw "The Diplomat," a colonial-era figure with a large, molded face, but its tenure was brief as the mascot head was stolen from a residence hall in the early 2000s. In 2007, "Ben and John" debuted as the next iteration of F&M’s mascot tradition, appearing on athletic and other campus events through 2021.
Opportunities for Input
Community voices will be essential to this process. Throughout the semester, students, faculty, staff, and alumni will be invited to share feedback through forums, surveys, and events. We also encourage you to share your ideas online. The deadline for submissions is December 1.
Submit your idea »